Luzon Army brass named

From the Manila Standard Today (Mar 30): Luzon Army brass named

PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has finally signed the appointment of the generals who will command the two of the four army divisions in Luzon Island.

Maj. Gen. Benito De Leon, current commander of the Armed Forces Training and Doctrine Command based at Camp O’Donnell in Capaz, Tarlac,  was tasked to command the 5th Infantry Division based at Camp Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.

De Leon, a classmate of AFP chief of staff Gen. Emmanuel Bautista, confirmed his appointment that took effect March 28, but he will assume his new post on April 4.

The other new commander is Brig. Gen. Glorioso Miranda who was ordered to take command of the 7th ID based at Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

Miranda also confirmed his new appointment but he said the turnover of command has yet to be scheduled.

Miranda is currently camp commander of the AFP General Headquarters in Quezon City.

The 7ID was formerly headed by Army chief Maj. Gen. Hernando Iriberri while the 5ID was commanded by Maj. Gen. Joel Ybanez who has recently retired.

The commander of the 202nd Infantry Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ivan Samarita was designated new commander of TRADOC while Samarita will be replaced by Col. Rodel Alarcon, current Assistant Chief of Staff for Plans (G5) of the Army.

Miranda will be replaced by Col. Arthur Ang, current Assistant Commander of the 2ID while Col. Angelito de Leon will be the new commander of the AFP Command Center.

Aside from the 5 th ID and 7 th ID, the other army divisions based in Luzon are the Second, based in Tanay, Rizal, and the Ninth, based in Pili, Camarines Sur.

The appointment of the two new commanders were confirmed a day after the Philippines signed agreements to buy $528 million worth of military aircraft from South Korea and Canada.

“After more than four decades of stagnancy in its dream of improving its capability, our air force has found a promise of new life with the realization of our modernization program,” Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said on Friday.

Korea Aerospace Industries will deliver 12 FA-50 jets worth 18.9 billion pesos ($421.12 million) in just over three years under a contract agreed by Philippine defence officials and South Korean government representatives.

The Philippines also completed a P4.8 billion contract with Canadian Commercial Corp. and Canada’s Bell Helicopters to build eight helicopters for the military.

The twin deals are part of the Philippines’ P75 billion effort to upgrade its armed forces, particularly units tasked with patrolling disputed territory in the South China Sea.

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